NEW YORK STATE CRIME VICTIM SERVICES SERVICES PROVIDED BY OFFICE OF VICTIMS SERVICES (OVS) OVS provides compensation to innocent victims of crime for their out-of-pocket losses related to the crime. OVS funds local victim assistance programs that provide a variety of direct services to crime victims, including helping victims complete their OVS application for assistance. OVS advocates for the rights and benefits of all innocent victims of crimes. CONTACTING THE NY OFFICE OF VICTIMS SERVICES TELEPHONE: 1-800-247-8035 or (718) 923-4325    EMAIL: ovsinfo@ovs.ny.gov WEBSITE: www.ovs.ny.gov   OFFICE:   55 Hanson Place, 10th Floor Brooklyn, NY 11217 APPLICATION FOR COMPENSATION ONLINE CONTACT    https://ovs.ny.gov/victim-compensation        https://ovs.ny.gov/form/contact-form OVS RESOURCE CENTER – FIND VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS Find resources provided by OVS-funded Victim Assistance Programs (VAPs) from across New York State. Search by zip code using the OVS Resource Center website.  https://ovs.ny.concerncenter.com ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM OFFICE OF VICTIM SERVICES:  https://ovs.ny.gov/ Restitution Payment Restitution is compensation paid to a victim by the perpetrator of a criminal offense for the losses or injuries incurred as a result of the criminal offense.   It must be ordered by the Court at the time of sentencing, and is considered part of the sentence. Restitution may include but is not limited to reimbursement for medical bills, counseling expenses, loss of earnings and the replacement of stolen or damaged property. How do I ask for Restitution? You should contact the DA’s office and advise them of the extent of your injury, your out-of-pocket losses and the amount of damages you are requesting. They would ask the Judge to order the payment of restitution or include such payments in any plea agreement.  If you do not ask the DA for restitution and provide necessary documents prior to sentencing then you may not get it. It is your duty to request restitution and provide copies of bills and documentation of the extent of your injuries, out-of-pocket expenses, and other damages. If your request is not provided to the Criminal Court before sentencing, you may have to pursue reimbursement of your losses in Civil Court.  BE SURE TO: The DA will provide you with more information about this process. FIND DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICE:  www.nypti.org/new-york-district-attorneys  CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION FROM OFFICE OF VICTIMS SERVICES  The OVS offers compensation related to: personal injury, death and loss of essential personal property. YOU MUST FILE FOR COMPENSATION WITHIN ONE YEAR AND COMPLY WITH OTHER DEADLINES TO BE ELIGIBLE. WHAT EXPENSES MAY OVS COVER? WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE? What if my property was lost, damaged or destroyed because of the crime? If you are under 18, 60 or over, disabled or were injured, you may apply for benefits to repair or replace your essential personal property lost, damaged or destroyed as a direct result of a crime that was not covered by any other source. Essential means necessary for your health and welfare, like eyeglasses, cash and clothes. How do I apply for compensation? You can apply for compensation using the NYS OVS Claim for Compensation Application, from the OVS website, or contact us to find a local victim assistance program near you. You may also get an application from any police station, precinct house, or hospital emergency room.     Send OVS your completed OVS application along with photocopies of:  What if I need compensation right away? In limited cases, you may ask for an emergency award, up to $2,500. What if I don’t have some of the papers OVS needs? Send your application in right away. You can send the other documents later. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  https://ovs.ny.gov/